Monthly Archives: April 2007

Avoiding triviality

Posted on April 30, 2007 by igalindo

In Toward a Theory of Instruction, Jerome Bruner insists that a theory of development must be linked both to a theory of knowledge and to a theory of instruction, “or be doomed to triviality.” (Bruner p. 21) I’ve long felt … Continue reading →

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On plants and Sunday school

Posted on April 28, 2007 by igalindo

I recently got a surprise evening phone call from a member at my former church. She had been in my Sunday school class and we had served together briefly on a church committee. Despite it having been over eight years … Continue reading →

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The myth of confidentiality and the binding triangle

Posted on April 27, 2007 by igalindo

During a recent consultation I tried to help a minister work through some stuckness. He was stuck in what I call a “binding triangle” as a result of falling into the trap of the myth of confidentiality. A church member … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory | 2 Comments

Basic rules for educational planning

Posted on April 26, 2007 by igalindo

I’m currently working on a project on educational planning in the congregational setting. The project is in response to the many questions I get from church staff and lay leaders about planning the Christian education programs in their church. I’m … Continue reading →

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Children in worship

Posted on April 25, 2007 by igalindo

Children belong in the worship service and they can be full participants in the experience. While there are some legitimate pragmatic reasons why some churches take children out of the corporate worship service, there are no legitimate developmental or theological … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Christian Education, worship | 1 Comment

Ministering from the right side of the brain

Posted on April 24, 2007 by igalindo

I’ve been a lifelong doodler. In fact, my college notes look more like sketchbooks than notebooks (and the doodles are the only reason I’ve kept some of my college notes). Even today pencil and paper aren’t far from reach in … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, Design, second chair | 1 Comment

Ministry years

Posted on April 23, 2007 by igalindo

Recently someone started a conversation with me by saying, “You were right.” “What about?” I asked. He explained that he was having a real tough year in ministry. He was experiencing a lot of frustration and restlessness, with periods of … Continue reading →

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“The Rules”

Posted on April 21, 2007 by igalindo

Attached is the article notes of a recent presentation titled “The Rules.” The article highlights fifteen “rules” about leadership in the congregational setting. These “derivative rules” are informed by Bowen Family Systems Theory. You can download the article here: galindotherules.pdf … Continue reading →

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On metaphors, analogies, and rigid thinking

Posted on April 20, 2007 by igalindo

Three recent conversations reminded me of the importance of moving away from ways of thinking that lead us toward “naïve understanding” and of the necessity of working toward a more critical way of thinking about matters of importance. In one … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, teaching, theology | 1 Comment

Teaching children the Bible

Posted on April 19, 2007 by igalindo

When I was an elementary school principal at a Christian school parents would often ask about the reason for why we required the children to memorize Bible verses (by fourth grade they were memorizing whole chapters as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in bible, children, Christian Education, teaching | 1 Comment